When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a question and I can't seem to locate any real good answers. Hopefully I didn't miss it in any of the existing threads, sorry if I did. I have a 2017 Clubman S ALL4 and I want to replace the gas springs as the barn doors aren't opening after pressing the door handle or interior button. I've looked and one of the connectors is easily visible but the other is inside the door panel and there aren't any real good pictures that I can see on how to detach that one. Does one have to remove the tail light in order to get to the hidden one or does one have to remove the panel trim? Any tips, tricks or pointers will be appreciated.
Literally just came here to post about these. I just did mine.
First tip. Don’t buy the Genuine MINI ones for $50+ each. RockAuto sells Stabilus 5B691459 for $8.79 each. Literally the exact same part. Made in Germany and everything.
The whole door trim does need to come off, at least that’s the official MINI procedure. Maybe there’s a way around it, but I didn’t look too closely.
First, the window trim needs to come off. That just pulls straight off from the door. Not really any “clips” per se, just a couple friction-fit tabs. I just pulled with my hand - no tools needed.
Then the main door trim also pulls straight off too. Start at the bottom. There are traditional BMW/MINI trim clips, but they are buried so far behind the panel that my trim tool didn’t fit. I just pulled by hand slowly and carefully and it popped off. Didn’t even break any plastic 😅
The left door also has a rubber boot around the latch “bar”, near the handle. Pull that off before you remove the main trim panel.
Finally there’s the dust boots for the gas springs. This one I did break plastic on. I’d suggest a trim lever tool and work carefully pulling straight away from the metal door panel.
After that you can use a tiny flathead to unclip the metal clips on each end of the gas spring.
Just getting this out quick. I can post pictures and elaborate more later…
Other tips. Pop off the tail light bulb access door and you can access at least 2 trim rivets. Popping a couple trim rivets with a trim tool first will help immensely when popping off the main door trim panel.
Don’t pop off this trim/rubber boot piece. I broke the clips holding this on and had to order new ones. Instead, after the the main trim panel is off and you unclip the gas spring, you can slide the gas spring inside the door and remove it. Spray a little silcone lubricant to help it slide through the rubber boot.
Here’s the view of the gas spring once you get the door panel off.
What I ended up doing was just pulling off the access panel and the panel that covers the electronics to the rear taillights. Unscrew the 4 nuts and pull out the light, from there the gas struct connect is super easy to reach. Pop off the chassis side then inside the barn door, slide the strut through the rubber hosing.
What I ended up doing was just pulling off the access panel and the panel that covers the electronics to the rear taillights. Unscrew the 4 nuts and pull out the light, from there the gas struct connect is super easy to reach. Pop off the chassis side then inside the barn door, slide the strut through the rubber hosing.
Took me about 20mins to do one side. Super easy.
Sweet, much better than popping the door “card” off 👍🏻👍🏻
What I ended up doing was just pulling off the access panel and the panel that covers the electronics to the rear taillights. Unscrew the 4 nuts and pull out the light, from there the gas struct connect is super easy to reach. Pop off the chassis side then inside the barn door, slide the strut through the rubber hosing.
Took me about 20mins to do one side. Super easy.
This is the best method. I was able to replace both sides in about 30 minutes. My old gas struts were so shot that they wouldn't even open on their own. Definitely worth the $20ish and 30 minutes.
Great call on removing the light! Made the job a piece of cake (even though I had to fish out the clip my slippery fingers dropped.) Door pops open like a champ now. Thanks for the tip!
What I ended up doing was just pulling off the access panel and the panel that covers the electronics to the rear taillights. Unscrew the 4 nuts and pull out the light, from there the gas struct connect is super easy to reach. Pop off the chassis side then inside the barn door, slide the strut through the rubber hosing.
Took me about 20mins to do one side. Super easy.
How easy is this if you have never worked on cars? I just got my Clubman and the boot doors won’t pop open automatically when I press the button on the key fob. Not sure if I should lube the struts or just replace them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Clubman struts are easy, at least if you are talking about a gen 2.
You don't need to remove anything to get to them. All you'll need is a small screw driver to pop the old ones out. There is a slot on the struts on both ends that will release the clamps.
Edit: Opps! Sorry, I see this is in the F54 section and not the R55 section. My advice may not apply.
